Understanding conductivity in a composite resin with Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) using design of experiments

This paper investigates the effect of different factors that influence the electrical conductivity of a polymer based composite matrix loaded with Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs). A design of experiment approach was employed to identify the significant factors such as composite processing method, SWCNT orientation and SWCNT weight percentages within a polysulphide resin. Preliminary electrical conductivity measurements indicated that the DC conductivity of the SWCNT dispersed polysulphide composite increases with the weight percentage of the SWCNT. Electrical conductivity data also varied based on the measurement location in the experiments. SEM studies indicated a variation in the distribution and orientation of SWCNT that changes the local electrical conductivity and were used to confirm the findings from the design of experiments. This combinatorial approach can assist in the design of polymer composites that are light weight, cost-effective and with enhanced electrical properties. Copyright © 2008 Inderscience Publishers.